All to Save a Brother

Summary:
Romance, Mystery, Slight paranormal
When an older brother (Marcus) is diagnosed with stage III kidney cancer, his younger brother (Jamie) is determined to earn money for the treatment. Taking a modeling job which turns out to be fake, Jamie is kidnapped. His innocence is taken in the most cruel way. Follow Jamie's experience, as well as the police's experience in tracking Jamie, along with others who have been taken, down. Can Jamie ever recover? Will Marcus survive?

Author Notes: FOr those who don't know, Nanowrimo is a challange for national writing month (November) to write 50,000 words during the month. I posted my story last year throughout November, and I'm doing it again. I hope you enjoy the prologue.


Nine year old James was outside of the elementary school, waiting for his dad or mom. He had to stay after school for tutoring, and his parents had told him that one of them would pick him up. He had been waiting outside for about twenty five minutes, and there was still no sight of either his dad’s pickup truck or his mom’s caliber. He wasn’t worried though. His parents were always really late picking him up. He walked to the curb, and sat down. He took a middle school level book out of his back pack and began to read. He may have struggled with math and science, but he was superior when it came to reading and the arts. The time passed without his realizing. He became aware of his surroundings when a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see his math teacher, the one who had been helped him with his multiplication table this afternoon. He saw it was nearing dark.

Mr. Johnson looked at him with worry. “Why are you still here?”

James looked down feeling terrible. He began to think that his parents were not just running late. “My mom and dad have not come yet.” His voice came out so small and frightened.

Mr. Johnson was about to tell the young boy to come into the school building, and they would call his house. Before he was able to tell James so, a car pulled up in front of the figures. Out stepped a young man of sixteen. When James saw him, his eyes lit up with happiness, getting up to run to the driver. “Markie, you are here!!”

‘Markie’ caught the eager boy in his arms, holding him close to his body. “I am so sorry you have been here for so long.”

James shook his head. “It is okay. I knew you would come for me big brother.”

‘Markie’ smiled at the precious boy in his arms. He lifted his head to lock his eyes on the teacher of 10 years. “I am so sorry sir. Our parents totally forgot he was staying after school for help in math. I’m Marcus.”

Mr. Johnson smiled a little grimly at the duo. “It is fine, but I would like to speak to you alone, if you would not mind.”

Marcus nodded curtly. He pulled James’ arms from around him, and let the young boy to the passenger side. He opened the door, and helped him in. He rolled down the windows, and closed the door. Marcus walked over to Mr. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson smiled at James, who was watching them with wide eyes. The teacher turned back to the older brother. “Your little brother is one of the sweetest kids in my class, never misbehaves and is always nice to everyone. I am a little worried though. I understand that sometimes parents are a little late if they are doing something and lose track of time. What I do not understand is how they can not realize it after James not showing up at all after over two hours.”

Marcus was instantly at the defensive. “I love my little brother.”

Mr. Johnson put his hands up. “I do not doubt that. How long did it take you to realize he was not home?”

Marcus looked at his feet. “I knew he was staying after school. I had swim practice. I had just got home when I saw he was not there. I came here right away.”

Mr. Johnson nodded in understanding. “Where were your mother and father during all of this?” Marcus mumbled something. “What was that?”

Marcus spoke the single word, “home”.

Mr. Johnson frowned. “How would you describe your home life?”

Marcus had angry eyes. “Our home is fine. I love my brother, and my brother loves me. Our parents just get a bit preoccupied with their own lives every now and then. I always make sure Jamie is taken care of though.”

Mr. Johnson nodded. “I understand. I can see that your love is very strong. BUT…it is not your responsibility to make sure that James it taken care of. I do not know if it is the best environment for either of you.”

Marcus turned away. “The best environment is for Jamie and I to be together, not to be torn apart by foster care, or whatever else you are thinking about. Jamie is very happy with me. He will continue to be happy too. I understand your concern, but it is not your business.”

James was still watching them with questioning eyes. Marcus glanced back at the worrying teacher. “It is almost dinner time. I have to get Jamie home. Before I forget, how is his multiplication table doing? Is he still having trouble?”

Mr. Johnson gave a slight nod. “It is better, but he is still struggling with the six’s, seven’s, and eight’s.”

Marcus bobbed his head up and down. “I will help him tonight after his other homework is finished. Goodbye.”

Mr. Johnson smiled. “Goodbye Marcus.” He looked towards the car and gave a wave. “See you tomorrow James.”

James nodded and waved back happily. As Marcus got into the car, he sighed happily. All was right with the world. His brother came for him.

As they pulled up to the house, Marcus got out. He looked over and saw James schlepping his backpack. He walked to the struggling boy and took the backpack from him. He led James inside, and saw his parents sitting at the dinner table. They were sitting in front of plates of food, but there were only one other sitting.

Marcus felt anger, but his little Jamie was oblivious to it. James ran to his parents without a care. “Hi mommy. Hi daddy.” He gave them both separate hugs. “My teacher says that my multiplication is much better, but I still need some help.” That is when James only saw one plate of food. “Mommy, daddy, why is there only one plate of food?”

It is Marcus to the rescue. “That’s for you Jamie. I still have to make up my own plate.”

James looked at his brother with knowing eyes. Marcus knew that look. His Jamie knew he was lying. Sometimes the kid was a little too smart for his own good. For example, when he and first girlfriend broke up, before he had even told Jamie about it, Jamie came to him, asking if he was okay about the breakup. When Marcus asked how he knew, Jamie said it was because he saw it in a dream. Similar incidents have happened, and Marcus never knew what to think about it. He simply chalked it up to them having a very strong bond. At this time, Jamie was giving him that look which clearly stated, ‘I do not believe you, but it will let it go.’

James took the seat while Marcus made up his own plate. When Marcus sat down, he saw James handling a steak knife trying to cut the pork chops. Their parents were not even bothering to even lend a hand. Marcus reached over and with tender hands, took the knife from the young boy’s hands. He cut the pork chop into bite size pieces, and then put the knife out of his reach. Their parents kept eating like it was no big deal. The dinner continued in that fashion.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A month later, after their parents once again forgot about picking James up from school, Marcus confronted them. He demanded to know why they always seemed to forget about James, while Marcus himself had stayed after school many times, and was always remembered to be picked up.

His parents were so blunt, it shocked Marcus into silence. “It is because he was a mistake,” his mother answered with ice in her voice. Marcus swore he felt his insides freezing at the tone.

Marcus turned to leave, but before he exited the room, “Just because you feel like he was not supposed to happen, that is no reason to make him suffer for your mishap. No matter how you may feel, my little brother is an extraordinary boy and he does not deserve to be treated
like a guest in his own house.”

Marcus fully exited the room to see James at the door. His heart skipped a beat. “Jamie, did you hear…?”

James cut off his question with a sad nod. Marcus’ heart broke when he saw the clear tear drops running down his cheeks. He scooped James into his arm, and carried him as if he was a four year old again. He took James to his bedroom, and sat them on the bed. He soothingly rubbed his back until the heart wrenching sobs diminished to delicate sniffles.

James looked up at his role model of a brother, his eyes all red and puffy from crying. “Why do mommy and daddy hate me? It is not my fault they did not want me. What did I do to deserve their hate?”

Marcus pulled him closer, gifting James’ forehead with a sweet kiss. “You do not deserve it. You are a special little boy. No matter what happens, you will always have me.”

James gave a small sniffle. “Do you promise you will never leave me?”

Marcus gifted James with another kiss. “I promise. Get started with your homework. I will be in my room if you need any help.”

James smiled. “I love you Markie.”

Marcus chuckled. “I love you too. I allowing you to call me that name should be proof enough. You are the only person I will allow that privilege.

As Marcus left, James got down to business.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Two years has passed. Marcus is 18 and James is 10. Marcus is getting ready to go to university. He is going out of state to Georgia Tech. His car is packed up, and his parents are saying goodbye. A survey of the lawn though, shows that his little brother is not there.

Marcus goes into the house, and sees his brother sitting against the hall wall. He kneels down next to James. “Were you just going to let me leave without coming outside to say goodbye to me?”

James arms were crossed. “I am mad at you Marcus.”

Marcus frowned. He knew his little Jamie must be mad, if he was actually using his full name. “What did I do little brother?”

“You lied to me.”

“Can you give me more detail? I do not know what you are talking about Jamie.”

James let out a huff. “You promised me that you would never leave me, and now you are going to a different state, only to continue some stupid education.”

Marcus’ eyebrows rose. “’Stupid education’? That does not sound like you. You are one of those kids who thrive to take in new information, where you like to go to school because you like to learn new things. Where is that person?”

“I do not want you to leave me. I need you.”

“Hey, look at me Jamie.” Marcus waited until he was sure he had James’ attention. “You know that I love you very much. Just because I am a good distance away, that will not change. I can always call and talk to you on the phone, and you know that I will visit during the breaks.”

James looked down. “Do you promise that you will not forget me?”

Marcus pulled James in for a hug. “How could I forget my best friend?”

James’ face broke out into a smile. “I am your best friend? You have so many friends though.”

Marcus gave a tender smile. “None of my other friends matter to me as much as you do.” James gave Marcus a fierce hug. Marcus looked at the beautiful boy. “Now, we have to put on our bravest faces. Let me see a smile.”

James relinquished a sad smile. “I love you Markie.”

Marcus gave another kiss. “I love you too Jamie.”

Marcus got up from his kneeling position, and walked to the door. He turned back and gave James another look. James once again smiled a sad smile, as if to reassure Marcus that everything would be fine. Marcus walked out of the house, shutting the door softly behind him. Outside, Marcus leaned again the door, letting the crystal tears glide down his face. Inside, against the wall, James wept for his big brother that was leaving him to start a new life with new friends at university.


Author Notes: Word Count: 2,102
I wanted to go into background information about the brothers, but I will get into the actual stoy soon. Please Read and Review and give me support.